Newtown-inspired made-for-TV movie fuels controversy

Demian Productions, which director Jonathon D. Bucari, have chosen the neighbouring town of Ridgefield, Connecticut to film their Newtown shooting tragedy inspired film – and it is not sitting well with Newtown and Ridgefield residents.

The made-for-TV film will be filmed just 20 miles away from where on December 14th, 2012 gunman Adam Lanza terribly shot and killed twenty children and six adults before taking his own life. The film, called “Illness”, is described as “the story of a mentally-ill 13-year-old boy, and the ever-growing fear of his parents after they learn about the shooting in Newtown in December 2012.” Bucari told media outlets that he made the choice to film “Illness” in Ridgefield because it looks similar to the city of Newtown and he did not want to upset the residents of Newtown so soon after the killings.

The superintendent for Ridgefield Public Schools, Deborah Lowe, says that the movie is “insensitive” and filming in Ridgefield is a “poor” decision. Local Ridgefield officials say they have not yet been contacted by the production about the film.

In January Bucari tweeted, “I am really pleased to announce that I will be directing my next movie about mental illness this February. The movie will be dedicated to the victims of the shooting in Newtown.” Bucari, who is credited with being the writer and director of the 2011 made-for-TV movie “The Sacrificial Lamb” starring Daniel Martin Berkey, has since taken down his Facebook and Twitter pages. Bucari and Demian Producations have not been available for comment.